Jammu & Kashmir youth now carry books and pens, not stones: PM on record voter turnout

 J&K youth now carry books and pens, not stones: PM on record voter turnout

Jammu and Kashmir saw a voter turnout of 60.21 per cent in the first phase of polling for the Assembly election - the highest in the past seven elections.  

Emphasising the role of Kashmiri Pandits in advancing Kashmiriyat, PM Modi highlighted the deep connection between the Pandit community and the region's heritage. However, he pointed out that the self-serving politics of three prominent dynasties, referring to the National Conference, PDP and Congress, in Kashmir, has led to the displacement of Kashmiri Hindus from their homes.

Modi said:
"In the last 35 years, Kashmir remained closed for almost 3000 days, which means 8 years out of 35 years were spent in shutdown. Whereas in the last 5 years, Kashmir did not remain closed for even 8 hours. They want schools should be burnt again, cinema halls should be closed again, businesses should be closed again, rigging in jobs to start again...

These people have given nothing to Kashmir except destruction, whereas BJP has entered the elections with great intentions for the poor, farmers, youth and women." 

Modi also drew attention to the hardships faced by Sikh families in Kashmir, who have similarly endured violence and atrocities. 

He accused the three political families of being complicit in acts of injustice against both the Kashmiri Hindu and Sikh communities, suggesting that their actions and those of their associates have contributed to the suffering and displacement of these groups over the years.  

Reflecting on the transformation of Lal Chowk in Srinagar, PM Modi stated that once it was a place that symbolised danger for those attempting to hoist the tricolour flag.

In a veiled dig at the former Union Home Minister and senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde, PM Modi stated that for years, visiting Lal Chowk was fraught with fear, as people hesitated to enter the area due to safety concerns.

Earlier this month, while launching his memoir in Delhi, Shinde stated that he used to feel scared of venturing out in Kashmir while he held the post.

"Before I became the Home Minister, I visited him (educationist Vijay Dhar). I used to ask him for advice. He advised me not to roam around but to visit Lal Chowk (in Srinagar), meet people and go around Dal Lake," Shinde stated.

However, he remarked that the situation has changed dramatically. Today, the markets of Srinagar, including Lal Chowk, are alive with the vibrant celebrations of both Eid and Diwali, signalling a new sense of normalcy and communal harmony.

"If the BJP government is formed here, then instead of Rs 6000, Rs 10,000 will be deposited in the bank accounts of everyone every year. Rs 18,000 will be deposited every year in the bank account of the oldest woman of every family. 

Today every family of J&K has the facility of free treatment up to Rs 5 lakhs. If the BJP government is formed here, then free treatment up to Rs 7 lakh will be available...The central government is giving about Rs 80,000 to each family for installing a solar plant on the roof." - PM said.